Fact Sheet ST-519
October 1994
Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’
Weeping Higan Cherry1
Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2
INTRODUCTION
Weeping Higan Cherry grows 20 to 30 feet tall
and spreads 15 to 25 feet in a graceful weeping habit
(Fig. 1). Leaves stay glossy green throughout the
summer and into the fall when they turn a vivid
yellow before leaving the tree bare in winter. The
drooping bare branches even lend a soothing grace to
the landscape in winter. There is nothing quite like
the Weeping Higan Cherry in full bloom in the spring.
The light pink (almost white), one-inch-diameter
flowers cover the branches before the leaves emerge,
giving the appearance that fresh snow has fallen on the
tree.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Scientific name: Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’
Pronunciation: PROO-nus sub-her-TELL-uh
Common name(s): Weeping Higan Cherry
Family: Rosaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 8 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: shade tree; specimen; no proven urban tolerance
Availability: generally available in many areas within
Figure 1. Mature Weeping Higan Cherry.
Texture: fine
its hardiness range
Foliage
DESCRIPTION
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: weeping
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Leaf
Leaf
Leaf
Leaf
Leaf
Leaf
arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)
type: simple
margin: serrate
shape: oblong; ovate
venation: banchidodrome; pinnate
type and persistence: deciduous
1.
This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-519, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 1994.
2.
Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering
Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.
Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’ -- Weeping Higan Cherry
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Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches; less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: yellow
Fall characteristic: showy
Flower
Flower color: pink
Flower characteristics: spring flowering; very
showy
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and
will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian
clearance beneath the canopy; not particularly showy;
should be grown with a single leader; no thorns
Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop
strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: brown
Current year twig thickness: thin
Culture
shape: oval
length: < .5 inch
covering: fleshy
color: black
characteristics: attracts squirrels and other
mammals; inconspicuous and not showy; no significant
litter problem
Light requirement: tree grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic;
well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Other
Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem
Winter interest: tree has winter interest due to
unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter
trunk, or winter flowers
Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’ -- Weeping Higan Cherry
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area. It is best to maintain the tree with mulch out to
the edge of the canopy and with branches almost
touching the ground. Even a light breeze will sway
the thin, drooping branches. Very attractive close to
water and often used this way.
Nurseries often graft Weeping Cherry onto a fastgrowing rootstock. The rootstock cherry is trained to
one straight trunk and small Weeping Cherry branches
are grafted to the trunk, four to six feet from the
ground.
It has a fairly rapid growth rate and prefers an
open, sunny location sheltered from wind. The tree
grows in almost any soil and transplants easily when
young. Grows best without competition from turf
grass. Clay soil is suitable as adequate moisture helps
keep stress to a minimum. Irrigation is a must in
sandy soil.
Other Higan Cherry cultivars are: ‘Autumnalis’ flowering occurs in the fall and spring in warmer
climates, in colder regions it will bloom in the spring,
flowers semi-double, pink; ‘Yae-shidare-higan’ weeping branches, flowers double, pink, and longerlasting than ‘Pendula’.
Pests
Rather prone to problems, particularly in dry soil.
Aphids cause distortion of new growth, deposits of
honeydew, and sooty mold.
Figure 3. Foliage of Weeping Higan Cherry.
Outstanding tree: tree has outstanding ornamental
features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: susceptible
Pest resistance: very sensitive to one or more pests
or diseases which can affect tree health or aesthetics
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Weeping Higan Cherry makes a striking specimen
in a large yard, park or commercial landscape. Locate
it to bring attention to an area, since its form is
attractive all year long. Be prepared to provide more
maintenance dollars to care for this beautiful tree than
others. One of the premier weeping trees for
American gardens, Weeping Cherry has a place in any
large-scale landscape as a specimen to accent a lawn
Borers attack flowering cherries, particularly those
under stress from dry soil or other factors. Keep trees
healthy with regular fertilizer applications, and
irrigation in dry weather.
Scales of several types infest prunus. Horticultural
oil can be used to provide some control of
overwintering stages.
Spider mites cause yellowing or stippling but they
are very difficult to see. They are usually recognized
only after plant symptoms are quite advanced.
Tent caterpillars make large webbed nests in trees
then eat the foliage. One defoliation may not be
serious and small nests can be pruned out and
destroyed. Use Bacillus thuringiensis when the insects
are first seen and are still small.
Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’ -- Weeping Higan Cherry
Diseases
Rather prone to problems, particularly in dry soil.
A bacterium causes leaf spot and twig cankers on
Cherry. Small, reddish spots dry, and drop out, giving
a shot holed appearance. Defoliation can be severe
when conditions favor disease development. Fertilize
infected trees and prune out infected branches.
A fungus causes reddish spots which drop out
leaving shot holes. Once the hole appear the leaves
may drop from the tree. The disease is worse in wet
weather.
Black knot causes black swellings or galls on the
branches. Branches with galls are pruned out.
Powdery mildew causes a white coating on the
leaves.
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